Suffering for Something You Love

Passion is the willingness to suffer for something you love. 

If you wanted to know what it has felt like thus far in working for myself, this would explain it so well. The fact of the matter about this, however, is that I know I have barely scratched the surface. There will be more tears, there will be more crazy-stress-eating, there will be anxiety, there will be complete chaos. But, there's no way I am gonna stop now. 

It's true that wisdom comes from time and experience, so I may not have all of the best business wisdom to share right now, but I do have a brand I stand behind and a system that has worked to get my feet off the ground. In the book, Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words, Kevin Hall explains, "Passion doesn't mean just suffering for suffering's sake; it must be pure and willing suffering." He goes on to say, "It's one thing to suffer and be a victim; it's an entirely different thing to be willing to suffer for a cause and become a victor."

A majority of these words I am saying can easily be premature in my case. However, I believe it is these moments here in the beginning that are going to determine the course for the years ahead for Rosewood co. I believe this is a company that will last, and if I am not treating it like that even now, in the very early stages, who will?

Here are a few things I try to remind myself of in my day to day...

Just Keep Doing it

I did not go to business school. I am not an expert craftsman. I do not know all the facts about proper accounting and budgets. I never for a second thought about owning my own business prior to this. But, by doing little things that I love and just not stopping, the natural next steps became growing as a craftsman, learning how to budget for a company and understanding the basics of running a business. I am passionate about people and relationships and I constantly look for ways to host those two things, which ended up translating as building really pretty tables and earning an income too. 

Embrace the Tears, the What If's and the Oh Crap Moments

We are human, therefore we have emotions and we are going to mess something up, really just about everyday. This cannot stop you though! The best thing you can do for yourself when you screw something up or feel like your failing is to embrace. Don't try and shoo away those feelings too fast, they are there for a reason. Let yourself process them, understand how you feel at those times, then take a step back and try to see the grander picture. With passion comes suffering, you cannot have one without the other, but you can make the suffering work as a vantage point for yourself. Learn how to make the moments of brokenness and tears be like a launching pad. 

Celebrate Every Little Step

Life is fleeting, the babies are growing and the trendy esthetics of today will be gone by this afternoon. When you have a win, no matter what size, take a moment or a meal or cocktail out with a friend to celebrate. Creating patterns and habits in your life that give yourself some room to notice that you did good, are vital. Honestly, I would even consider going out to celebrate some failures every now and then. The failures are just as important as the wins in life, really! Have grace on yourself in this life. 

"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." - Thomas Paine

Here's to you and your endeavors, whatever they may be!